How to choose the perfect Christmas tree for your home, whatever your space or budget
Whether you live in a tiny flat or have a grand hallway crying out for a festive showstopper, experts reveal how to find a Christmas tree to fit your space.
Picking the perfect Christmas tree can be a festive headache, with householders facing a tricky choice between trees that are too tall, too wide, too sparse or simply too chunky.
But whether you are decorating a bijou flat or have a huge hallway begging for a showstopper, there is a tree to suit every home – provided you know what to look for. And with slim trees becoming increasingly popular, experts say it is worth thinking carefully before splashing out.
"In recent years, especially with a lot of new-build homes, the trends show that a big chunky tree isn't for everyone," says Nigel Lawton, plant buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres. " In terms of sale trends, we are selling more slim trees."
Measure before you buy
Before heading to the garden centre, grab a tape measure. Check both the ceiling height and the floor space available to avoid bringing home a festive monster that dominates the entire room.
Eve Kerrigan, of British Garden Centres, advises shoppers to measure up before making their choice.
Don't buy a tree blind
A netted tree can hide a multitude of sins. Experts recommend choosing a retailer that displays its trees unwrapped so shoppers can inspect the shape and fullness.
Lawton suggests turning trees around to make sure they look good from every angle.
Short on space? Go slim
Slim Nordmann firs and naturally narrow Fraser firs are ideal for apartments, tight corners and smaller living rooms.
For those with room to spare, meanwhile, trees measuring 8-9ft or more can create a spectacular entrance hall centrepiece.
Tiny homes, tiny trees
Pot-grown trees offer another clever solution, with some measuring just 1-2ft. They can sit on tables or hearths before being planted outside or moved into larger pots after Christmas.
Miniature ornamental conifers are another option, while dogwood, willow and corkscrew hazel branches can provide a stylish alternative to a traditional tree.
Choose a tree that survives Christmas
Not all potted trees are created equal. Experts warn that containerised trees, dug up and transferred into pots shortly before Christmas, can suffer root shock.
A genuinely pot-grown tree, raised in its container throughout its life, has a much better chance of surviving after the festive season.
Check with the retailer before buying, and remember that living trees need regular watering and should spend as little time indoors as possible.